Yes he did... However he's paid a bigger price then he was paid. Breaks my heart to see my favorite player and what the NFL, Ownership and even players association has basically turned their backs on him. The Jr Seaus etc. They profit pay these men. n
He was one of the greatest running backs I've seen in my lifetime, what a tough runner he was and hardly ever ran out of bounds. Sadly I saw a video of him years ago he was struggling to walk and his son had to help him. Earl Campbell thanks for the memories.🏈
It was too bad that surgery wasn't like it is today. He could have recovered from most of his injuries. Also imagine if he played for a Super Bowl team ?? Straight up POWER !!
My uncle lives close to him in Westlake Austin. He said even years ago that he had seen him outside his house and that he needs a walker to assist him.
The Tyler Rose! Of all the NFL players that I have personally met he was far and away the most humble, gentle, giant of them all. What an amazing player and even better man.
And in my humble opinion… the BEST overall running back of all time. Can run through you, around you.. under you… greatest combination of talent I’ve ever seen…. I’ve played college football and he’s the LAST PERSON I’d ever want to play against!!
@robertanselmo- Bo Jackson could hit a ball , run it down , throw back to the plate And beat the tag! Campbell just ran the ball every play! IN THE HOUSTON ASTRODOME! YOU want to see a bad man LEROY KELLY! Jim brown who?
Thanks for the video NFL Throwback! Earl Campell was on of the greatest running backs to ever play the game and he’s one of the greatest players in Oilers franchise history.
I grew up in Houston and Earl's rookie season was the same year I turned 8 years old and started watching football with my dad. Earl Campbell was my first hero.
He had 36" thighs, 5'11" 244 pounds & did 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. Since retiring from football in 1985, Campbell has suffered from severe osteoarthritis in his knees, feet and back. The price of a pro football career is always high, but he was legendary.
My buddy got let go from NFL, while he was still playing very well. At the time he was devastated. Afterward he played for the USFL, New Jersey Generals. Then the NY Giants picked him up during the strike year. Ultimately his career ended too early. Now, he says it was a blessing, all of his friends who had long NFL careers as linemen, are at best needing a cane to walk, most are in wheelchairs. Very sad, what we allow for entertainment.
NFL Throwback.. y'all are clutch for this one 🔥 arguably the greatest power back of all time.. the play when he hit the Rams defender in the chest and got his jersey torn off.. ICONIC 💯
Love Earl, and agree with most of what you said, but he wasn't better than Jim. You can't really argue againist 12 consecutive seasons as a power back and not missing a game.
@@ByronJames7what is this fascination with trying to correct ppl, while not being correct yourself? It is wide known that Jim Brown retired prematurely at 29. So if he played 12 years like you say, did he enter the NFL at 17 years old? I am pretty sure that he didn't.
@@anitafloyd2554 You say fascination, and yet you are attempting to correct me. Lol the irony. And "prematurely?" what does that even mean? He retired when he wanted to, as an MVP, rushing leader, and NFL Champion. Would you say Earl Campbell retired "prematurely" as well? Because by my recollection, Earl was pretty beat down physically by the time he retired, having played one season less than Jim Brown.
I don’t think there’s a bigger, earl Campbell fan on the planet than me! I can’t even say the man’s name without tears welling up in my eyes! This dude right here, was something special. If I can meet anybody in this world he would be in my top 3!! and I’m still the Titans fan to this day because of him!!
I grew up a Walter Payton fan but let me say this, always was a fan of Earl Campbell fan as well, admired both. What football players should be. Thanks for all the memories 👊
It's about time we got a proper highlight reel of Earl Campbell. Thanks NFL Throwback! His violent and fearless running style meant that he could never have a long career, but his first four seasons are arguably the greatest by any running back in NFL history (perhaps only Eric Dickerson is better by that measure). The run against the Rams is the ultimate angry run of all time - nothing comes close. He didn't just run over Isiah Robertson, he took his soul and ruined his life. Jim Brown's legendary commentary just makes it that much better. To my mind the collision with Jack Tatum at the goal line is the greatest single collision in NFL history: Campbell said that "A shock went down to the heels of my feet" with that hit. Legendary stuff. Great video.
Great comment. except for the fact his first 4 were the greatest. kinda like Bird. The way both played robbed us of the longevity, but I doubt either would trade their few stellar years for a few more of mediocrity. Just magnificent. Love the Tyler Rose.
This is the most comprehensive collection of highlights I’ve seen of him-been my fav football player since I first saw him way back when. Met him and his family in Austin fairly recently. True class act and such a nice man.
Earl Campbell is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and he was great for the Oilers franchise. He’s the original Beast Mode who will overpower defenders with his speed and agility.
@@darrellterry9691Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, and Gayle Sayers would eat Sanders for breakfast. Sanders lost more yards than any back in history. His team pulled him out of the game on short yardage near the goal line. The GOAT is in the game when you need two yards. No other great back was on the sidelines when their team needed a yard or two.
So since I'm among fellow Earl fans I have to tell my Hall of Fame story. While visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame one year I entered the room where you can pull up highlights of inductees on a large screen. So, naturally, I pulled up Earl's highlights. The room suddenly grew silent. I turned around to see every eye in the house fixated on this wrecking ball in cleats on the screen. A few of the younger fans approached and asked who that was and I told them, "That's Earl Campbell, the best running back ever."
emmitt couldn't make a hole to run thru, he can only thank JJ for building the front line for him to run straight and not zip-zag making the entire defense missing tackles like Barry Sanders!! these two backs just ran out of steam carrying the entire team !!!
I think Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett are 2 of the greatest RBs ever but both of them were fortunate to be drafted by the cowboys at a time when the cowboys had a real team on offense and defense. Which brings me to the other side of the coin which is RBs that were drafted by shitty teams. People don’t mention Earl Campbell in this regard but if you take him off those oilers teams they’re nothing. Also Walter Payton was unlucky in this regard because the Bears didn’t have a real team until Payton was well into his thirties. It would’ve been fascinating in both instances if those 2 had been drafted by good teams. We’ll never know the difference but I think conventional wisdom would suggest they would’ve won multiple Super Bowls.
As a life long Miami Dolphins fan I can't help but admire Earl Campbell. He had the power of Csonka and the speed of Mercury Morris. He was very under rated.
For all of that locomotive greatness, he was and is a humble and gentle soul. The #34 in Houston sports is history is synonymous with greatness. Earl, Hakeem and Nolan.
I still remember watching the great running of Campbell, watching this brought me right back to the late 70’s we always looked forward to his games…never let us down 👏🏽🙏🏾
as a oiler fan i can likewise tip my hat to the black and gold...they were as good as it gets... and it made for some incredible wars in that black and blue central division...
As a Texan growing up I grew up watching the legend, but did not fully appreciate how powerful and fast he really was, until know. It seems players now days down drop to the ground with with the first contact the get after the ball was snapped. Earl tried to score every time he was handed the ball. Players now seem to be happy with making the line of scrimmage. Also he is and was a first class person. Living near Austin I have never met him, but know many who have and they all say what a kind and humble person he is both in person and business.
Deceptively quick feet, and amazing breakaway speed, combined w crushing strength. His ‘78-‘80 run might have been the best in history. A class act, so dignified. Love ya Mr Campbell.
I loved that guy as a Viking fan! I truly did. Wanted to chew Skoal too brother. He is my favorite player of all time. God bless you for the great spectacle you are Earl!
I was a teenager in those days. The Oilers weren't my favorite team, but I loved watching Earl Campbell roll down the field like a tank. I also enjoyed seeing Bum Phillips commanding on the sidelines. He was my second favorite coach behind the legendary Don Shula. SKOAL BROTHER!!!
That first run is one of the reasons why the NFL got rid of the "tearaway" jerseys in the next couple of years. I remember this game, Earl had to leave the game to get a new jersey, Houston settled for a field goal & ended up losing 10-6 to a decent Rams team.
@@napoearth If he had a tear away he would have gotten another 1, 000 yards. Looks like about half of the tackles are from being pulled down by his jersey. A true gladiator.
This was by far the best and most accurate portrayal of the Earl Campbell we were privileged to watch during his career. So many great runs we would see on a regular basis but many of these are not even making the highlight reels on most other Campbell videos. I’m always thinking “I know Earl was even much better than these reels are showing and it’s not doing him justice”. This one really did him justice and showed how truly great he was and exciting to watch. The sound of the players too was awesome and added to the excitement. Tears came to my eyes watching this and the memories. I thought Earl was still running really good in New Orleans even though he was slowing down. My all time favorite player!
Thanks for posting this retrospective. Had the pleasure of meeting this legend myself at a random airport cafe in Austin, Texas. Great guy, and top 3 running back in my book. Too bad Bum Phillips ran him into the ground. Would love to see him in today's era.
I was a Cowboys fan as a kid, but I loved watching Earl Campbell. Those Oiler teams had the misfortune of being in the same division as the Steelers, perhaps the greatest team in history. In any other era Earl leads Houston to a championship. If the referees had not blown the Mike Renfroe TD call in the '79 AFC Championship game against those Steelers, he might have done it anyway.
The renfro incident is the most overrated post situation in NFL history. Oilers head coach Bum Philips and QB Dan Pastorini admitted the call didn't determine the games outcome , that event occurred in the 3 qtr ,there was still the remaining 3 qtr and full 4 qtr to play ,if the TD were allowed ,if the extra point was successful it only ties the contest ,, Pittsburgh proceeded to score ,10 points afterwards,the oilers 0 , the oilers hadn't produced a single offensive TD in the previous years AFC championship game loss 34-5 against this same Steelers team ,up until the questionable renfro catch hadn't achieved it ,there only points were by a defensive TD . There actually is a camera view from above showing renfro slightly bobble the ball before he cascaded out of bounds ,thus the notion by many fans that the refs call had absolutely no foundation behind it is baffling. The Steelers were robbed of a ample opportunity to potentially secure home field advantage throughout the AFC conference post season, if by the end of the regular season they compiled more wins then the chargers who the Steelers lost against during that regular season .That actual egregious call by refs in the 1979 Monday nite contest at the astrodome selectively gets forgotten , selective amnesia. When Pittsburgh recovered a obvious on side kick , needing a fg to send the game into OT , the ref incredulously stated the Steelers player didn't have possession of the ball before he ran out of bounds , he literally ran for several yds before going out of bounds with the ball securely in his hands ,the Monday nite announcers were puzzled at the call,as the replays clearly showed conclusively the Steelers player successfully waited until the ball advanced 20 yds before grasping it ,validating Cossell and Meredith's puzzlement over the call rightfully so . The decades long procedure in pondering a myth that the oilers were jobbed ,which they weren't is a slight the 1979 steelers legacy shouldn't have . Inthe 1974 conference championship game on the road vs the raiders ,the Steelers John Stalworth caught a one handed TD side line toe tap that was wrongly ruled a no catch ,a reception unquestionably a TD , Pittsburgh regrouped after the bad refs decision and proceeded to win their very first conference championship, if the oilers were that good,they would have persevered,nevertheless,the renfro supposed catch had grounds to be ruled a incomplete pass , remember the oilers still had downs on that particular possession to obtain a first down, eventually leading to a game tying TD . Objective Context applied ,the renfro post season incident is the most overrated moment in playoff history .
I never got to see earl campbell play live but I have seen many recordings of him from my uncle's old tapes and campbell was a tough guy because I am surprised he lasted as long as he did with the crazy amount of carries he got and the hits he took and gave out no rb today could take that punishment he was a monster
The guy literally left it all on the field. I saw him on a show with several other NFL greats and although he seems to have his mental facilities his physical ones are not all there as he was in a wheel chair. Great player and tough guy.
Isiah Robertson was an outstanding linebacker. However, he would be all but unknown to most current football fans if not for Earl Campbell and their UNFORGETTABLE collision!
@@johnnywilcox4343 Truth. Although I've seen he's gained some mobility back over the last several years with physical therapy. The Astroturf was like playing on concrete, took a terrible toll. :(
Campbell was the best power running back I've seen in my lifetime. I didn't get to see Jim Brown play, but I know he was great as well. ( maybe better ?) I'd take Earl over any power back I've seen. He had great burst speed, in his first 2 steps, and great top end speed, and could run faster than defensive backs. He had it all, power, great speed, and great moves. Guys would bounce off him like toothpicks, and must have had fear when they saw him break thru the line. I'm talking power backs, and not finesse runners like Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett, and many others. Campbell was pretty much the best "all time" for power backs. Likely maybe tied with Jim Brown, or better ?
One of the specially talented NFL players that never had a team around them to get a championship,let alone go to the Super Bowl.Unique talent and drive to win,just like less than 10 other backs in the Hall Of Fame with him. R.I.P. Jim Brown.
they were thisclose many years, but had to meet the Steelers in the playoffs damn near every time (and barely lose) Bum Phillips would come to the end of year parade and say EVERY time "we knocked on the door, next year we'll kick it down!!" sadly never did
I remember seeing that famous MNF game when I was a kid. ABC's preview featured him and his mother. Then the game started with the hype of that national exposure. He played some of the most inspiring football I have ever witnessed. The game turned into a"what is he going to do next?"
Earl was jim brown 2,0 by the way,,,, the long run he had on MNF against miami was broken brown from a physics stand point on a sports science show some years back, that last 50/60 yards,, you just saw a five foot eleven.235 pound man with28 to 34 pounds of pads on run a 4,38,,,,,,no wonder thosE 190 pound dbs could not catch him,,,,,,,UNF@#KINBELIVEABLE!!!!!
As a kid, I fell in love with Paul Warfield and he remained my favorite football player until I saw Earl Campbell. Nobody will ever surpass Mr. Campbell as my favorite. My emotions are torn when I think of him because I so love the unbelievable enjoyment that he provided but then I think about the toll on his body that said enjoyment gave to me. He will always have my respect for sacrificing himself the way he did. Dear lord what a beast he was and pity the unaware fool who made the mistake of getting between him and the goal line.
I love it! Darrell Green next please! 20 years of running people down and 54 career interceptions. I bet you can find 28 minutes of content for number 28 himself. Please and thank you!
An unsung hero in this story is Tim Wilson #45. Earl used to say "All I do is follow Tim. He makes the holes and I run through them." If you watch so many of these plays, Earl is doing exactly that, following Tim.
Was just a kid when Earl was running roughshod over everbody. He was awesome. Can remember running through the house with the football crushing pillows and cushions the same way Earl ran over linebackers and DBs. Great video.
5:55 That moment Campbell collided with Jack “The Assassin” Tatem and stumbled into the end zone is one of the nastiest hits of all time. I wish I could have grown up in this era of the NFL.
Yeah I get it...I'm in my mid 60's and that Era imho was the beginning of the end of "football". Which is why I insist we'd not be having the conversation of brady being the goat. He wouldn't have made it back them because he could be 'HIT"
Earl Campbell said that Tatum hit him the hardest ever. He said he felt that blow down his spine and into his toes. He said after that hit, "something felt wrong." Jack Tatum was a vicious hitter who feared no one. He was willing to die on the field.
Earl Campbell almost had me change my allegiance from the Steelers in the late 70's... For his day, he was the package no one thought of... Size, Corner speed, serious stability, great hands and most of all vision... Even with all those at attributes he would follow his blockers
When he got the Rock , every defender was in PANIC MODE as you can see this off their reaction of moving away than going towards him. It was the reality ofthe GREAT FEAR , defenders knew Cambel can break your neck when trying to tackle his thighs and why we saw MANY HIGH ARM GRABBING TO RIDE ALONG hoping other teammates hop on too. FEAR OF BREAKING A NECK was the real thoughts from defenders when they saw him get the ROCK.
My dad loved Earl Campbell. He encouraged me to watch him and run like him when I was younger. As I got older and the other boys got bigger I soon realized I’m not Earl Campbell.
Life long Raider fan since the early 1970's, and Campbell was the hardest hitting back that I ever saw. Wouldn't say the best as I saw OJ, Payton, Dorsett, Allen, but for sure the toughest to bring down.
Serious question: How would you compare Campbell to Marshawn Lynch? (Campbell is an icon; I get it; I champion it; I'm a huge fan of his; but I'm not old enough to have seen him play in real time, and so, as the only point of reference I can fathom, I wonder how the two compare.)
I've said it once and I will say it again...I'm a Steeler fan since '72, but Mr. Earl Campbell, Member and Most Honored Rival within the Toughest division in NFL history: The AFC Central/North, will always be my ATF RB1...Only #2 to the Prototype, the Standard: Mr. Jim Brown (May he Rest in Power!) NFL HOF Football Player #1. Hands DOWN...and don't even think about Brady.
JUST FELL SHORT OF 10,000 YARDS AND 2000 YRDS RUSHING IN A SEASON. THAT IS THE FILM WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. I CAN NOW ENJOY WATCHING THE MOST POWERFUL RUSHING BACK OF ALL TIME DO HIS THING. DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SHORT CHANGED HIM. HE DESERVES MUCH BETTER ACKOLAIDS. 👏 YES HE PAID THE PRICE FOR HIS BRUTAL RUSHING STYLE BUT IF HE DIDN'T , WE WOULDN'T HAVE THOSE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. THANK YOU EARL CAMPBELL FOR EVERY YARD OF YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER. 🦏 🏈 🎳 🚂 3️⃣4️⃣
I look at all these clips on that ridiculous Astroturf and it makes me cringe. That hastened his career as much as his playing style...all that punishment on that glorified concrete was nothing but detrimental. Plus, Pittsburgh AND Cincinnati played on it, meaning 10 games a year minimum were on that surface.
This guy made some of the greatest defenses in Football look silly. Doomsday Dallas, Steel Curtain, Orange crush Denver, the Buddy Ryan Eagles. Jack Tatum and the Raiders.
“He turned LBs into speed bumps and DBs into roadkill” a perfect way to sum up Earl Campbell
Hell fuck yeah my nigga
@@user-sg8kq7ii3y he do scored lol
I watched him as a kid...bulldozer but incredible speed
Yes he did... However he's paid a bigger price then he was paid. Breaks my heart to see my favorite player and what the NFL, Ownership and even players association has basically turned their backs on him. The Jr Seaus etc. They profit pay these men. n
@@user-sg8kq7ii3y and Earl isn't doing well. Yet RB's don't matter???? FOH
He was one of the greatest running backs I've seen in my lifetime, what a tough runner he was and hardly ever ran out of bounds. Sadly I saw a video of him years ago he was struggling to walk and his son had to help him. Earl Campbell thanks for the memories.🏈
He had his 5th back surgery. They tighten up the screws n got him off meds and alcohol n he sang with Willy Nelson . Not very good . He said that.
It was too bad that surgery wasn't like it is today. He could have recovered from most of his injuries. Also imagine if he played for a Super Bowl team ?? Straight up POWER !!
My uncle lives close to him in Westlake Austin. He said even years ago that he had seen him outside his house and that he needs a walker to assist him.
What a lot of people don't know is that he was born with a spinal deformity. He always played in pain. He was truly a determined man. And humble
Difference between 🏃 then & now. Past 🏃 were willing to take the punishment unfortunately they bodies paid a high price for absorbing that punishment.
The Tyler Rose!
Of all the NFL players that I have personally met he was far and away the most humble, gentle, giant of them all. What an amazing player and even better man.
And in my humble opinion… the BEST overall running back of all time. Can run through you, around you.. under you… greatest combination of talent I’ve ever seen…. I’ve played college football and he’s the LAST PERSON I’d ever want to play against!!
@@robertanselmo8906 as much as I love him, I think Bo has him beat, handily. but deff top 3 or 4
Earl had 12 screws in his back. He was in so much pain that he thought about killing himself . Find the documentary that they hid....... good luck !.
@robertanselmo-
Bo Jackson could hit a ball , run it down , throw back to the plate
And beat the tag!
Campbell just ran the ball every play! IN THE HOUSTON ASTRODOME! YOU want to see a bad man LEROY KELLY! Jim brown who?
@agoogoomuck- he better run because he ain't beating A BO throw from left field warning track?
Awesome running back. Earl Campbell may God bless you always. Amen!
Thanks for the video NFL Throwback! Earl Campell was on of the greatest running backs to ever play the game and he’s one of the greatest players in Oilers franchise history.
Shame he never got to play in the Superbowl because the steelers were in his way.
Violent running
Forget Oilers history. He’s one of the best in NFL History.
Jerome Bettis closest RB to even compare to Earl Campbell.
@@btcurry1 jim brown?
I grew up in Houston and Earl's rookie season was the same year I turned 8 years old and started watching football with my dad. Earl Campbell was my first hero.
I grew up in Baytown. Luv Ya Blue!!!!
If earl played his whole career. On. Grass like john riggins he wouldve set records that wouldve never been broken 😊
Bum. Phillip's was a good coach but he overused earl
All I needed to see was that first clip 😤
❤ get a tattoo of that for memories
The Original Beast Mode.
Yeah he is...... i hear black exploitation 70s music when earl runs too😂😂
@@shazam_daghost3427 😂
@@Romans219"I love football and could care less about skin color " That works in the perfect world, not here on earth
Marion Motley.
Earl Campbell was original unstoppable running 🏃♂️ back
He had 36" thighs, 5'11" 244 pounds & did 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. Since retiring from football in 1985, Campbell has suffered from severe osteoarthritis in his knees, feet and back. The price of a pro football career is always high, but he was legendary.
My buddy got let go from NFL, while he was still playing very well. At the time he was devastated. Afterward he played for the USFL, New Jersey Generals. Then the NY Giants picked him up during the strike year. Ultimately his career ended too early. Now, he says it was a blessing, all of his friends who had long NFL careers as linemen, are at best needing a cane to walk, most are in wheelchairs. Very sad, what we allow for entertainment.
Didn't help that Houston had astro turf
Earl Campbell was unstoppable college & NFL🏈 career
What’s even crazier is he played his whole career with a spinal disease
why the hell did they install a turf hard as cement ? Doesn't make sense...........@@lmenzol
The true definition of unstoppable!
Jack Tatum LIT Campbell up!!
❤️ earl Campbell; & Houston oiler fight song & Billy white shoes 👞 Johnson
@@user-sg8kq7ii3y Campbell gave more than he took in his career.
Indeed Earl was "catchable" but really was unstoppable.
This is the best Earl Campbell highlight compilation I have ever seen. Great job! Loved the Tyler Rose 🌹
YES, YES IT IS , I LOVE IT
IT'S ABOUT TIME
Incredible highlight tape. Such a great running back/football player. I miss the Houston Oilers, and the Astrodome.
Was blessed watching this man play football. True champion on and off the field. Issues now from play football 🏈 but God bless 🙏 you Earl.
NFL Throwback.. y'all are clutch for this one 🔥 arguably the greatest power back of all time.. the play when he hit the Rams defender in the chest and got his jersey torn off.. ICONIC 💯
Love Earl, and agree with most of what you said, but he wasn't better than Jim. You can't really argue againist 12 consecutive seasons as a power back and not missing a game.
@@ByronJames7Jim Brown (RIP😔) only played 9 yrs.And perhaps most impressive is he lead league in rushing 8 of the years! 4 MVPs ain’t to shabby.
@@ByronJames7what is this fascination with trying to correct ppl, while not being correct yourself? It is wide known that Jim Brown retired prematurely at 29. So if he played 12 years like you say, did he enter the NFL at 17 years old? I am pretty sure that he didn't.
@@newagain9964 My mistake. Earl Campbell only played 8 seasons, brotha. Still agreat nonetheless!
@@anitafloyd2554 You say fascination, and yet you are attempting to correct me. Lol the irony. And "prematurely?" what does that even mean? He retired when he wanted to, as an MVP, rushing leader, and NFL Champion. Would you say Earl Campbell retired "prematurely" as well? Because by my recollection, Earl was pretty beat down physically by the time he retired, having played one season less than Jim Brown.
I don’t think there’s a bigger, earl Campbell fan on the planet than me! I can’t even say the man’s name without tears welling up in my eyes! This dude right here, was something special. If I can meet anybody in this world he would be in my top 3!! and I’m still the Titans fan to this day because of him!!
I grew up a Walter Payton fan but let me say this, always was a fan of Earl Campbell fan as well, admired both. What football players should be. Thanks for all the memories 👊
It's about time we got a proper highlight reel of Earl Campbell. Thanks NFL Throwback! His violent and fearless running style meant that he could never have a long career, but his first four seasons are arguably the greatest by any running back in NFL history (perhaps only Eric Dickerson is better by that measure). The run against the Rams is the ultimate angry run of all time - nothing comes close. He didn't just run over Isiah Robertson, he took his soul and ruined his life. Jim Brown's legendary commentary just makes it that much better. To my mind the collision with Jack Tatum at the goal line is the greatest single collision in NFL history: Campbell said that "A shock went down to the heels of my feet" with that hit. Legendary stuff. Great video.
Tatum was basically the Defensive version of Campbell... both so physical
Great comment. except for the fact his first 4 were the greatest. kinda like Bird. The way both played robbed us of the longevity, but I doubt either would trade their few stellar years for a few more of mediocrity. Just magnificent. Love the Tyler Rose.
EARL CAMPBELL WAS THE
JOHN MACKEY OF RUNNING BACKS.
This is the most comprehensive collection of highlights I’ve seen of him-been my fav football player since I first saw him way back when. Met him and his family in Austin fairly recently. True class act and such a nice man.
The human bulldozer. Earl Campbell was a beast💯Legendary
Earl Campbell is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and he was great for the Oilers franchise. He’s the original Beast Mode who will overpower defenders with his speed and agility.
Not "one of", he was the greatest.
Not a single moment of "show boating". He was a pure raw bad ass.
That calm guy, who goes about his business at a stellar level. Everyone respects him, and all the loudmouths envy his class.
Why y'all so obsessed with Black men being humble?
Barry Sanders is the GOAT
@@darrellterry9691Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, and Gayle Sayers would eat Sanders for breakfast. Sanders lost more yards than any back in history. His team pulled him out of the game on short yardage near the goal line. The GOAT is in the game when you need two yards. No other great back was on the sidelines when their team needed a yard or two.
So since I'm among fellow Earl fans I have to tell my Hall of Fame story. While visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame one year I entered the room where you can pull up highlights of inductees on a large screen. So, naturally, I pulled up Earl's highlights. The room suddenly grew silent. I turned around to see every eye in the house fixated on this wrecking ball in cleats on the screen. A few of the younger fans approached and asked who that was and I told them, "That's Earl Campbell, the best running back ever."
..Damn straight. If you didn't see him play, you just can't imagine "Earl."
Number two behind Jim brown.
@@OG-19 Valid opinion. Respect.
Now imagine Earl Campbell with some of the huge offensive lines Emmitt Smith had in the 1990’s. Earl was one of the best ever.
emmitt couldn't make a hole to run thru, he can only thank JJ for building the front line for him to run straight and not zip-zag making the entire defense missing tackles like Barry Sanders!! these two backs just ran out of steam carrying the entire team !!!
I think Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett are 2 of the greatest RBs ever but both of them were fortunate to be drafted by the cowboys at a time when the cowboys had a real team on offense and defense.
Which brings me to the other side of the coin which is RBs that were drafted by shitty teams. People don’t mention Earl Campbell in this regard but if you take him off those oilers teams they’re nothing. Also Walter Payton was unlucky in this regard because the Bears didn’t have a real team until Payton was well into his thirties. It would’ve been fascinating in both instances if those 2 had been drafted by good teams. We’ll never know the difference but I think conventional wisdom would suggest they would’ve won multiple Super Bowls.
@@averydaymond1560 I couldn’t agree more.
Look how fast and shifty he is too. He is almost on a level where he should be banned.
@@arbyarby3259That’s not true. Just taking a shot at Emmitt.
Earl was one of the greatest.He was one tough cookie.
My favorite player of all time and for good reason - some of the most iconic highlights ever.
As a life long Miami Dolphins fan I can't help but admire Earl Campbell. He had the power of Csonka and the speed of Mercury Morris. He was very under rated.
How was he underrated?
For all of that locomotive greatness, he was and is a humble and gentle soul. The #34 in Houston sports is history is synonymous with greatness. Earl, Hakeem and Nolan.
I still remember watching the great running of Campbell, watching this brought me right back to the late 70’s we always looked forward to his games…never let us down 👏🏽🙏🏾
Lifelong Steeler fan. Utmost respect for Earl! Had 5 HOF on my defense at the sametime and Earl gave them fits.
Remember the hit Donnie Shell put on him? I believe he broke some ribs!
@@chadrupert4456Overrated hit.Campbell was spinning when Shell hit him.Did you see when Campbell flattened Shell at the 1:56 mark?😂
as a oiler fan i can likewise tip my hat to the black and gold...they were as good as it gets... and it made for some incredible wars in that black and blue central division...
As a Texan growing up I grew up watching the legend, but did not fully appreciate how powerful and fast he really was, until know. It seems players now days down drop to the ground with with the first contact the get after the ball was snapped. Earl tried to score every time he was handed the ball. Players now seem to be happy with making the line of scrimmage.
Also he is and was a first class person. Living near Austin I have never met him, but know many who have and they all say what a kind and humble person he is both in person and business.
First run vs Rams is one the most classic of all runs by anyone. Tyler Rose!!!!
Deceptively quick feet, and amazing breakaway speed, combined w crushing strength. His ‘78-‘80 run might have been the best in history. A class act, so dignified. Love ya Mr Campbell.
This man is GOATed in the State of Texas! Give this man his flowers ASAP! 🎉
What about Patrick mahomes. He's from Tyler Texas too.
@@johnwest5458 that's not Earl Campbell. 🙃🫠
Like his Earl Cambell hot link's.
One awesome Texan!
I loved that guy as a Viking fan! I truly did. Wanted to chew Skoal too brother. He is my favorite player of all time. God bless you for the great spectacle you are Earl!
I love Earl Campbell 💯
The true definition of unstoppable!. I love Earl Campbell .
You know.... we forget about Earl, but what an amazing Stallion....
Thank you Mr. Cambell.
I remember when the Oilers played my Bengals I just prayed we could hold Campbell to under a 100. The guy had incredible balance and power.
I remember when the Oilers played my Raiders. Earl Campbell ran through Jack Tatum. UNSTOPPABLE !!
@@petermontoya1796 Fun memories for sure.
I almost became a Oiler Fan at a young age because of this exact MAN!!! Dude was UnreaL
I was a teenager in those days. The Oilers weren't my favorite team, but I loved watching Earl Campbell roll down the field like a tank. I also enjoyed seeing Bum Phillips commanding on the sidelines. He was my second favorite coach behind the legendary Don Shula. SKOAL BROTHER!!!
That first run is one of the reasons why the NFL got rid of the "tearaway" jerseys in the next couple of years. I remember this game, Earl had to leave the game to get a new jersey, Houston settled for a field goal & ended up losing 10-6 to a decent Rams team.
I'm not so sure that was a tearaway. He was just that powerful. I watched a ton of his runs and never saw him rip any other jerseys.
@@napoearth If he had a tear away he would have gotten another 1, 000 yards. Looks like about half of the tackles are from being pulled down by his jersey. A true gladiator.
@@napoearth definitely tear away jerseys
We used to call them "throw aways" in high school, lol. @@poindextertunes
This was by far the best and most accurate portrayal of the Earl Campbell we were privileged to watch during his career.
So many great runs we would see on a regular basis but many of these are not even making the highlight reels on most other Campbell videos.
I’m always thinking “I know Earl was even much better than these reels are showing and it’s not doing him justice”.
This one really did him justice and showed how truly great he was and exciting to watch.
The sound of the players too was awesome and added to the excitement.
Tears came to my eyes watching this and the memories.
I thought Earl was still running really good in New Orleans even though he was slowing down.
My all time favorite player!
I'm to young for Earl Campbell and Im 36 lol but man I wish i was around to see him live, in person or on TV.
Thanks for posting this retrospective. Had the pleasure of meeting this legend myself at a random airport cafe in Austin, Texas. Great guy, and top 3 running back in my book. Too bad Bum Phillips ran him into the ground. Would love to see him in today's era.
I was a Cowboys fan as a kid, but I loved watching Earl Campbell. Those Oiler teams had the misfortune of being in the same division as the Steelers, perhaps the greatest team in history. In any other era Earl leads Houston to a championship. If the referees had not blown the Mike Renfroe TD call in the '79 AFC Championship game against those Steelers, he might have done it anyway.
The renfro incident is the most overrated post situation in NFL history. Oilers head coach Bum Philips and QB Dan Pastorini admitted the call didn't determine the games outcome , that event occurred in the 3 qtr ,there was still the remaining 3 qtr and full 4 qtr to play ,if the TD were allowed ,if the extra point was successful it only ties the contest ,, Pittsburgh proceeded to score ,10 points afterwards,the oilers 0 , the oilers hadn't produced a single offensive TD in the previous years AFC championship game loss 34-5 against this same Steelers team ,up until the questionable renfro catch hadn't achieved it ,there only points were by a defensive TD . There actually is a camera view from above showing renfro slightly bobble the ball before he cascaded out of bounds ,thus the notion by many fans that the refs call had absolutely no foundation behind it is baffling. The Steelers were robbed of a ample opportunity to potentially secure home field advantage throughout the AFC conference post season, if by the end of the regular season they compiled more wins then the chargers who the Steelers lost against during that regular season .That actual egregious call by refs in the 1979 Monday nite contest at the astrodome selectively gets forgotten , selective amnesia. When Pittsburgh recovered a obvious on side kick , needing a fg to send the game into OT , the ref incredulously stated the Steelers player didn't have possession of the ball before he ran out of bounds , he literally ran for several yds before going out of bounds with the ball securely in his hands ,the Monday nite announcers were puzzled at the call,as the replays clearly showed conclusively the Steelers player successfully waited until the ball advanced 20 yds before grasping it ,validating Cossell and Meredith's puzzlement over the call rightfully so . The decades long procedure in pondering a myth that the oilers were jobbed ,which they weren't is a slight the 1979 steelers legacy shouldn't have . Inthe 1974 conference championship game on the road vs the raiders ,the Steelers John Stalworth caught a one handed TD side line toe tap that was wrongly ruled a no catch ,a reception unquestionably a TD , Pittsburgh regrouped after the bad refs decision and proceeded to win their very first conference championship, if the oilers were that good,they would have persevered,nevertheless,the renfro supposed catch had grounds to be ruled a incomplete pass , remember the oilers still had downs on that particular possession to obtain a first down, eventually leading to a game tying TD . Objective Context applied ,the renfro post season incident is the most overrated moment in playoff history .
I’m a diehard Steelers fan since the 70s. I loved Earl Campbell he was Bo before Bo. Size, power, speed and finesse when necessary
If you were a GM and you could choose Earl Campbell or Walter Payton who gets the nod
wonder how many SB the stellers would have won with the PEARL
Bro he was a monster I came here bc my dad and grandpa let me know I’m related to earl cambell I didn’t know he played football but damn he was good
I never got to see earl campbell play live but I have seen many recordings of him from my uncle's old tapes and campbell was a tough guy because I am surprised he lasted as long as he did with the crazy amount of carries he got and the hits he took and gave out no rb today could take that punishment he was a monster
YES, THE CARRIES PER GAME,
PER SEASON. UNMATCHED, UNBELIEVABLE.
Thanks to whoever posted this. 20+ minutes of posterity for this 57 yr old whose favorite player during his teens was Earl Campbell.
The guy literally left it all on the field. I saw him on a show with several other NFL greats and although he seems to have his mental facilities his physical ones are not all there as he was in a wheel chair. Great player and tough guy.
EC was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis a few yrs back. He had had it since birth. Docs were amazed he played football, much less as a wrecking ball.
@jeffreywillis4258 You're right. He was a beast who knew he was playing with borrowed time. He left everything out on the field.
This man was a monster! I am a Steeler fan and i hated watching him chew our defense apart!
Isiah Robertson was an outstanding linebacker. However, he would be all but unknown to most current football fans if not for Earl Campbell and their UNFORGETTABLE collision!
My absolute all-time favorite running back! He's #1 in my book.
The best power running back ever and absolute favorite to watch!
An absolute beast. Best running back of my lifetime
In my mind, in his prime, as good as any running back to ever play the game.
Too bad they ran him in the ground, they gave him no help, he can barely walk now.
@@johnnywilcox4343 Truth. Although I've seen he's gained some mobility back over the last several years with physical therapy. The Astroturf was like playing on concrete, took a terrible toll. :(
@@johnnywilcox4343 study it out , er guessing. ✌️
❤️ earl Campbell one man gang & Houston oiler fight song & Billy white shoes johnson
Campbell was the best power running back I've seen in my lifetime. I didn't get
to see Jim Brown play, but I know he was great as well. ( maybe better ?) I'd
take Earl over any power back I've seen. He had great burst speed, in his first
2 steps, and great top end speed, and could run faster than defensive backs. He
had it all, power, great speed, and great moves. Guys would bounce off him like
toothpicks, and must have had fear when they saw him break thru the line. I'm
talking power backs, and not finesse runners like Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett,
and many others. Campbell was pretty much the best "all time" for power backs.
Likely maybe tied with Jim Brown, or better ?
A great Running Back . A Super , unstoppable machine . Never forgotten .
One of the specially talented NFL players that never had a team around them to get a championship,let alone go to the Super Bowl.Unique talent and drive to win,just like less than 10 other backs in the Hall Of Fame with him. R.I.P. Jim Brown.
they were thisclose many years, but had to meet the Steelers in the playoffs damn near every time (and barely lose) Bum Phillips would come to the end of year parade and say EVERY time "we knocked on the door, next year we'll kick it down!!" sadly never did
The oilers were good when he played for them. They went to the AFC championship game, but they had to play the Steel when they were the best.
3:10 Vintage Howard Cosell. "What you've seen tonight ladies and gentlemen is a truly great football player".
I remember seeing that famous MNF game when I was a kid. ABC's preview featured him and his mother. Then the game started with the hype of that national exposure. He played some of the most inspiring football I have ever witnessed. The game turned into a"what is he going to do next?"
Earl was jim brown 2,0 by the way,,,, the long run he had on MNF against miami was broken brown from a physics stand point on a sports science show some years back, that last 50/60 yards,, you just saw a five foot eleven.235 pound man with28 to 34 pounds of pads on run a 4,38,,,,,,no wonder thosE 190 pound dbs could not catch him,,,,,,,UNF@#KINBELIVEABLE!!!!!
He was bigger than 2/3 of the defense and faster than most of the team. amazing running back.
His thighs were larger than my waist back in 78-79 measured an insane 34 inches. Earl had literal old oak tree trunk for legs, and as strong! 😳
36 inches.
As a kid, I fell in love with Paul Warfield and he remained my favorite football player until I saw Earl Campbell. Nobody will ever surpass Mr. Campbell as my favorite. My emotions are torn when I think of him because I so love the unbelievable enjoyment that he provided but then I think about the toll on his body that said enjoyment gave to me. He will always have my respect for sacrificing himself the way he did. Dear lord what a beast he was and pity the unaware fool who made the mistake of getting between him and the goal line.
What a combination of speed and power! He'd run through you, around you...
He was something to watch he was great 👍 😊
I love it! Darrell Green next please! 20 years of running people down and 54 career interceptions. I bet you can find 28 minutes of content for number 28 himself. Please and thank you!
I bet Darrell uses that speed to run away from Earl
I doubt she would try and tackle Earl
Commanders Legend
@@JBTriple8 LMAO
@@JBTriple8 🤣
@@JBTriple8 Lmfao
Some my memorable moments ever was watching Earl Campbell run that ball with my dad!
The way he knocked out that rams player and keep on going. Pure excellence by this running back.
2:50 - Already fearsome, but that Dolphins game the Tyler Rose's real coming out party. I remember it well. What a game!!!!!!
The grandfather of angry runs 😤😤😤
An unsung hero in this story is Tim Wilson #45. Earl used to say "All I do is follow Tim. He makes the holes and I run through them." If you watch so many of these plays, Earl is doing exactly that, following Tim.
The guy was a machine. However, the violence with which he ran ended up destroying his body.
Earl Campbell was the Irresistible Force.
There were no immovable objects.
💯
His undoing was the fact that he was Houston's offense for the 6 years or so.
Was just a kid when Earl was running roughshod over everbody. He was awesome. Can remember running through the house with the football crushing pillows and cushions the same way Earl ran over linebackers and DBs. Great video.
5:55 That moment Campbell collided with Jack “The Assassin” Tatem and stumbled into the end zone is one of the nastiest hits of all time. I wish I could have grown up in this era of the NFL.
You missed out brother. IMO this was when the NFL was the shit. Physical man i loved it
Yeah I get it...I'm in my mid 60's and that Era imho was the beginning of the end of "football". Which is why I insist we'd not be having the conversation of brady being the goat. He wouldn't have made it back them because he could be 'HIT"
Earl Campbell said that Tatum hit him the hardest ever. He said he felt that blow down his spine and into his toes. He said after that hit, "something felt wrong."
Jack Tatum was a vicious hitter who feared no one. He was willing to die on the field.
Campbell went to the locker room after that Tatum hit.
Watching that sequence in slow motion... you realize the incredible amount of power and agility he possessed...
Earl Campbell almost had me change my allegiance from the Steelers in the late 70's... For his day, he was the package no one thought of... Size, Corner speed, serious stability, great hands and most of all vision... Even with all those at attributes he would follow his blockers
Dude was a human Weeble Wobble wrecking ball.. It's amazing how this dude just folded linebackers and safety's.. Amazing running back..
He didn't fold Jack Tatum...
When he got the Rock , every defender was in PANIC MODE as you can see this off their reaction of moving away than going towards him. It was the reality ofthe GREAT FEAR , defenders knew Cambel can break your neck when trying to tackle his thighs and why we saw MANY HIGH ARM GRABBING TO RIDE ALONG hoping other teammates hop on too. FEAR OF BREAKING A NECK was the real thoughts from defenders when they saw him get the ROCK.
5’11/240…4.6 ….40yd dash …..vs. a 205 lb DB 💥
I love Earl Campbell: the ways he runs and being so humble. ❤
The creator of beast mode
Didn’t need blockers ran over you or around you
He was never caught from behind
EXCELLENT VID!!!!! Earl was very exciting 2 watch!!!!! EVERY time he got the ball, you thought he was GONE!!!!!!!
Toughest Running Back ever!
My dad loved Earl Campbell. He encouraged me to watch him and run like him when I was younger. As I got older and the other boys got bigger I soon realized I’m not Earl Campbell.
Life long Raider fan since the early 1970's, and Campbell was the hardest hitting back that I ever saw. Wouldn't say the best as I saw OJ, Payton, Dorsett, Allen, but for sure the toughest to bring down.
Serious question: How would you compare Campbell to Marshawn Lynch? (Campbell is an icon; I get it; I champion it; I'm a huge fan of his; but I'm not old enough to have seen him play in real time, and so, as the only point of reference I can fathom, I wonder how the two compare.)
Jack Tatum but a shellacking on him at the goal line.Sent Campbell to the locker room after that hit.
I've said it once and I will say it again...I'm a Steeler fan since '72, but Mr. Earl Campbell, Member and Most Honored Rival within the Toughest division in NFL history: The AFC Central/North, will always be my ATF RB1...Only #2 to the Prototype, the Standard: Mr. Jim Brown (May he Rest in Power!) NFL HOF Football Player #1. Hands DOWN...and don't even think about Brady.
Earl Campbell was a brutal running back. Tackling him was hard work. Sadly, he's paying for all of those hits now.
I was still a little kid when I started watching football. Luv Ya Blue forever. I still geek out seeing Earl Campbell at events.
It took a whole defense of 11 HOF'ers to stop Earl Campbell
Man he's one of the Greatest!!! He deserves more credit...💯💪🏾🔥✊🏾
JUST FELL SHORT OF 10,000
YARDS AND 2000 YRDS RUSHING
IN A SEASON. THAT IS THE FILM WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. I CAN NOW ENJOY WATCHING THE MOST POWERFUL RUSHING BACK OF ALL TIME DO HIS THING. DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SHORT CHANGED HIM. HE DESERVES MUCH BETTER ACKOLAIDS. 👏
YES HE PAID THE PRICE FOR HIS BRUTAL RUSHING STYLE BUT IF HE DIDN'T , WE WOULDN'T HAVE THOSE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES.
THANK YOU EARL CAMPBELL FOR EVERY YARD OF YOUR
ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER. 🦏 🏈
🎳 🚂 3️⃣4️⃣
Jim Brown losing his mind at 1:30 is about as high a praise as you can get as a power running back.
I was blessed to see him play all the way from Texas to the Saints... you always got the best with Earl Campbell!
Earl Campbell is the only player I've ever heard of whose thighs are attributed to him being hard to tackle.
I have heard that about Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders also.
@@anitafloyd2554 look up Nigerian Nightmare
You should see the ladies at the BET bathing suit competition..lol
The ending made me shed a couple tears 😢
Earl the Pearl!!! What an athlete. So many memories. Thx for the post .👍
How the hell did he NOT fumble more he held the rock like a loaf of bread!!!!💪🏽💁🏽♂️
YEA, THAT HAS ALWAYS AMAZED
ME TOO THE WAY HE PALMED
THE FOOTBALL.?
HE AND BODY BUILDER
RONNIE COLEMAN SHARE SIMILAR FATES. 😢
Hands down my fav player when I was a kid, had his jersey and always love watching the "Tank".
I look at all these clips on that ridiculous Astroturf and it makes me cringe. That hastened his career as much as his playing style...all that punishment on that glorified concrete was nothing but detrimental. Plus, Pittsburgh AND Cincinnati played on it, meaning 10 games a year minimum were on that surface.
I also enjoy seeing his teammates fully committed to giving him room to run. You see the WRs grappling with LBs. Beautiful.
I’m proud to say I cleaned this man’s pool. Never met him tho 😂
I loved watching earl back in the day, powerful running.
When u put pads and jersey on a mack truck and drive thru the defense
Absolutely insane. What a beast of a human
This guy made some of the greatest defenses in Football look silly. Doomsday Dallas, Steel Curtain, Orange crush Denver, the Buddy Ryan Eagles. Jack Tatum and the Raiders.
Jack Tatum?
@@darksunday3012 check out the Jack Tatum Earl Campbell hit.
I said something similar